gosports1 Wrote:

Cubanbull Wrote:Its NOt the hybrid that is the problem is the current set up that prevents any football moves. No one is saying make the BE into SEC or Big10 but it certaintly can get better in football, As great as our basketball is and as weak as football is you figure basketball should be bringing HUGE amounts of money but is not and thats because football is where the money is at.
As I said this is NOT 1979 when the conference eas established as a BASKETBALL conference. Times change and if you dont change with it you set yourself to failure.
Yes some of those schools have great winning traditions but times have changed. Army was a football powe and great tradition but what is it now?
Explain to me how is`it that the BEST basketball conference in the country with all those markets cannot get TV contracts that could rival those of the football conferences?

I agree the FB contracts are not the best, but would adding a 9th member really improve that? If it was a big name i think it would. Unfortunately all the big time programs already have a home. (other than the IRISH). I honestly think the strength of the BB helps the FB league more than if they were split. Others may disagree
sidenote: I dont get what Army's problem is. They have a very loyal fan base, games almost always sold out. Great place to watch a game. If Navy and Air Force can be, at the very least, competitive and bowl eligible there is no reason why Army can't as well. If that program rose to the level of Navy or Air Force they would be a great FB only member in the BE (location, fan base, marketing potential)

I think that waiting for that BIG name Notre Dame, Penn State to come is a HUGE mistake for the Big East. Its like not dating anyone waiting for Angelina Jolie to drop whats his ame and come be with you. Its not going to happen and keeps you from moving to possible great choices in the long run.
Adding Memphis as a football member opens up a new area for the BE, so while I dont think the TV contract will jump greatly at the begiining it also wouldnt be a huge drop in per member money. It does bring a bowl that would be among the top two pay bowls in our line up and it also helps the league not having to schedule a 1-1 deal with SBC or MAC to have an extra nonconference game.
So overall is pretty even deal in my eyes except you give another team in the BE a chance to improve and be ranked.
I do think that right now a hybrid is probably best bet since there is no one outhere that cold make up for the losses of Gtown,Marquette, Villanova or Notre dame.
But I would like to see a 9th member for football to help that side